Young people occupy premier's office
SYDNEY — On May 9, around 30 Justice For Young People activists occupied the premier's office in protest against the planned "street safety" legislation. They were later removed by around 90 police from the State Protection Group (the same division that attacked the University of Technology, Sydney, occupiers). They plan to occupy some government office at least once a week.
Save the ABC Rally
SYDNEY — More than 1000 people rallied at Town Hall on May 2 to protest against the proposed $55 million ABC budget cut. This cut would mean the loss of about 1000 jobs, 20% of the ABC work force.
Speakers, including rally chair H.G. Nelson, Helen Razor, Maxine McKew, Mark Warren and Tim Bowden, raised the role these attacks on the ABC would have on impartiality, accuracy and depth in coverage, and demanded that the government honour its pre-election commitment to maintain ABC funding.
Conference on peace
CANBERRA — Around 400 people attended a discussion on "The Role of the Media in War and Peace" at the Australian National University on April 25, featuring John Pilger as the keynote speaker. The panel was part of a four-day conference organised by International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and the Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia) around the theme "Visions and Actions for Peace".
The conference also featured a workshop on "Development with Justice", with talks presented by exiled Indonesian academic George Aditjondro and John Ondawame of the Australia-West Papua Association.